In order to compete in the sub-prime mortgage market, while avoiding further troubles with the feds, Wells Fargo is training 400 new loan underwriters and plans to keep more mortgages in their portfolio moving forward.

Bonds entered the domestic session feeling a bit down on their luck. There was some general weakness early in the overnight session, but just before 8am, European Central Bank (ECB) sources were quoted (anonymously) as generally approving of the market's consensus for policy tightening. Specifically, the sources didn't push back on the view that the ECB should stop buying bonds later this year or that it should execute its first rate hike of this cycle some time in 2019. Granted, that wasn't huge news (after all, it was the market's "consensus" that the ECB sources were responding to in the first place), but it was enough of a development to leave 10yr yields several bps weaker to begin the day. Relief came from heavy losses in stocks which pulled bond yields lower...(read more)

Mortgage rates have been on a tear recently , moving sideways with reckless abandon. Since the middle of February, the "effective rate" (based on actual rate sheet offerings and upfront costs) has held inside a narrow range of 4.52% and 4.58%. This lies in stark contrast to the persistent move higher during the first month and a half of 2018 which saw the same effective rate rise from roughly 4.0% into the 4.5% range. When rates are as flat as they are on the approach to a key market event like this Wednesday's Fed announcement. We often see a break in that narrow range after the key event. For now, there's no reason to believe Wednesday WON'T be such a day this time around. Even if Wednesday turns out to be a dud in terms of its impact on rates, it's always safest to plan for the risk (or...(read more)

Freddie Mac's economists headlined their March Outlook economic report "Adulting is Hard." The newest crop of young adults may find this to be truer than others. They have been slow to reach life's milestones like getting married, starting families and living independently, but with some valid reasons. Many came of age in the midst of recession ; wage growth has been weak, and housing, education, and healthcare costs have risen rapidly. Average annual expenditures for adults aged 25 to 34 in 2016 are 36 percent higher than those faced by those the same age in 2000, while costs for health care and education have more than doubled. The U.S. Census Bureau says the 25-to-34-year age group contained 45 million people in 2016, 4 million more than the next older age group (35 to 44). But instead of...(read more)